Mike Phillips sacked by Bayonne

The Welsh rugby halfback Mike Phillips has been sacked by French club Bayonne after being accused of turning up drunk at a training session.

31-year-old Phillips, who has been capped 77 times, joined Bayonne from Ospreys in 2011 and was under contract until June 2014.

He could head immediately back to Wales to join up with his national squad ahead of the November internationals.

Phillips was sidelined from the Bayonne squad after he was accused, along with New Zealand duo, backrow forward Dwayne Haare and first-five Stephen Brett, of arriving drunk for a video analysis session earlier this month.

According to a club source, both New Zealand imports will receive heavy fines.

Phillips had been in trouble with the Bayonne authorities in September 2012 when he was banned for 10 days and fined following another alcohol-fuelled episode.